Mayo swimmers take on unique challenge for charity fundraiser

Over 50 young swimmers from Castlebar Swimming Club are set to take part in a unique challenge in support of the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.

On Saturday, May 16, the group will swim the full equivalent of the River Shannon's 360 km length in a single day.

A community Swinathon hosted at Lough Lannagh Swimming Pool in Castlebar will raise funds for the proposed Sunflower Children's Hospice for the West of Ireland, as well as supporting the continued development of youth sport within Castlebar Swimming Club.

Completed in relay format over the course of one day, the challenge will see young swimmers from eleven schools across the region take to the water together, supported by coaches, volunteers, and families. 

Some of the local schools taking part are St Joseph's Castlebar, St Gerard's DLS College Castlebar, Davitt College Castlebar, Sacred Heart Secondary School Westport, Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Balla Secondary School, Snugboro Primary School, Gaelscoil Raifteirí, Castlebar Primary School, Breaffy National School, and Ballyvary Primary School.

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70% of all funds raised will go directly to the Sunflower Children's Hospice project, with the remaining 30% supporting youth sport, coaching, and community wellbeing through Castlebar Swimming Club, a fully volunteer-run organisation.

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, expressed her gratitude for the generosity of the Castlebar Swimming Club.

“The need for specialist children's hospice care in the West of Ireland is real and urgent, and it is the support of communities like this that brings the Sunflower Children's Hospice closer to becoming a reality. 

“Every stroke these young people swim sends a powerful message to the families who need this service most, that they are not alone."

Marian English, Head Coach, Castlebar Swimming Club, said

“We are incredibly proud of every single one of these young people taking part. They didn't just want to do a sponsored swim; they wanted to do something that truly meant something.

“Swimming the Shannon, every kilometre of it, in a single day, is their way of saying that this community cares. We hope people will get behind them and donate whatever they can."